Leslie Bowman and her team at The Design Bar bring a little glam to the Western Suburbs.

Since opening three and half years ago, The Design Bar in Burr Ridge has become bigger than owner Leslie Bowman ever expected. What was originally planned as a small design center to help people build custom homes, The Design Bar has morphed into a 7,000-square-ft retail design emporium and showroom. The Design Bar includes a showroom with a design center that caters to the design/build end of the business while the rest of the sales floor showcases furniture, gifts, accessories, and tabletop. “We find that we are filling a niche with clients who want to update their homes and need to address many areas within them; not just one room,” Bowman says. “It is easier for us to do that as a firm because of the retail showroom.” The aesthetic at The Design Bar is what Bowman calls transitional glam with a twist of organic elements. “My style tends to be casual and refined, yet glamorous. I want the spaces we create to feel livable,” she says. “I also design for the client, not for myself. My thought is that I don’t live in the home; my client does, so they should feel most comfortable. It is my job as a designer to get to know my clients, including likes and dislikes, so that I can implement a flawless and cohesive design that really resonates with them.” Bowman says many clients today feel overwhelmed by the process of finding, buying, and designing a home. “When I first opened the store, more people were interested in purchasing items off the Internet as they thought it was easier and faster. Now, I’m seeing people realize how challenging that can be, especially as they try to figure out the tiny details, such as a sofa arriving and the scale of the piece is either too small or too large,” she explains. “When you visit our showroom, our staff is here to help you maneuver through the design process. Whether it be a tablescape for your dining room table or a full-blown design for your family room, we have the resources to help choose the perfect items for each space.” In addition to interior design, Bowman’s company also assists on the construction side. “We do a lot of kitchen and bath design as well as new construction builds, so I am always seeking the latest trends by attending events at the Merchandise Mart or through my involvement with various networking groups,” she says. When clients talk about Bowman, they call her analytical and creative, and some- one with attention to detail and the ability to prioritize the timing of needs within the scope of a project that made them feel at ease. The Design Bar recently won the 30th Annual ARTS Award presented by ARTS and Dallas Market Center for the Midwest/Southwest Region, making The Design Bar one of the top three home accent stores in the nation. “After being open in our new space for less than a year and only three years after opening the store, it was one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve had throughout this crazy journey,” she says.

The Design Bar is located at 880 Village Center Drive in Burr Ridge, 630-734-0000, thedesignbars.com.